What is CranioSacral Therapy?

Here is a great video interview with John Matthew Upledger, the son of John Upledger (founder of the Upledger Institute and creator of the Upledger method of CranioSacral Therapy). This video is rather long. This very informative for those truly interested in the history and development, as well as more indepth information about CST.

What is CranioSacral Therapy? A Gentle Approach to Central Nervous System Health

If you have ever wondered what CranioSacral Therapy (CST) actually is, the best way to understand it is to hear from the experts at the Upledger Institute International. In a concise overview, Mathew Upledger breaks down the fundamentals of this gentle, yet powerful, modality.

At its core, CranioSacral Therapy is a non-invasive manual therapy that uses a very light touch—often described as the weight of a nickel—to detect and correct imbalances in the body.

Understanding the Craniosacral System

To understand how CST works, you have to understand what it is treating: the craniosacral system. Mathew Upledger explains that this system is essentially the environment surrounding your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord).

This system is made up of three main components:

1. Membranes (Meninges): The continuous layers of tissue that enclose the brain and spinal cord.

2. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): The fluid that circulates within those membranes, bathing and protecting the central nervous system.

3. Bones: The skeletal structures attached to these membranes, including the cranium (skull), face bones, vertebral column, and the sacrum (tailbone).

How It Works: Finding the Rhythm

The body continuously produces and reabsorbs cerebrospinal fluid. This creates a filling and emptying cycle, generating a subtle rhythm and pressure changes that cause slight, rhythmic movements in the attached bones.

Because the membrane system is continuous from your head down to your tailbone, a restriction or tightness anywhere along that system can affect the entire structure. CST practitioners are trained to feel that subtle rhythm. They use gentle techniques to locate areas where the membranes are restricted and help the body release that tension.

The Goal of CST (CranioSacral Therapy)

Why is releasing these restrictions so important? Because the craniosacral system houses the central nervous system, which governs nearly every function in your body. By using gentle touch to improve the environment within the craniosacral system, CST aims to enhance the overall function of the central nervous system, supporting the body's natural ability to heal and self-correct.